“I Nearly Lost My Mind When I Showed Up To Pick Up My Order”: Woman Goes On A Viral Rant About The Ridiculous Tip She Was Asked To Leave
It wasn’t so long ago that tipping was something we did with pride and voluntarily, as if to reward baristas, waiters and delivery people for their splendid performance. Of course, we still do that. But in this day and age, tipping culture seems to have reached a new low.
In a recent TikTok video which has over 100,000 views already, Morgan Huelsman (@webgirlmorgan), a former food service worker, claimed that when she placed an order for a pickup, she was asked to tip twice, and that’s without mandatory gratuity. “The employee looked at me like I just ruined his entire day,” she said in the video, showing the receipt as a piece of evidence.
Recently, a TikToker called out ridiculous tipping expectations after being asked to tip three times on the same pickup order
Image credits: MargJohnsonVA (not the actual photo)
“Y’all, tipping has gotten out of hand. Let me preface this before y’all come at me”
Image credits: webgirlmorgan.
“I was a server, I was a host, I did expo, I did all the things. I worked in the service industry for years. So whenever I go out to eat or whenever I order takeout…”
“…I always tip really good. Always been the case, I know what it’s like”
Image credits: Ketut Subiyanto (not the actual photo)
“So when I went to order takeout last night, there was already a gratuity added on. Cool, great, we love to see it. I also added an additional tip into this thing.
But when I tell you I nearly lost my mind when I showed up to pick up my order – I picked it up, it was not delivered.”
“They handed me this nice little receipt with an additional tip. A third time to tip. On the same order”
Image credits: Sam Dan Truong (not the actual photo)
“And when I did not sign this, the employee looked at me like I had just ruined his entire day”
Image credits: webgirlmorgan.
“And when I did not sign this, the employee looked at me like I had just ruined his entire day. Sir, I am not going to tip you for a third time.
What are we doing? This is ridiculous.
Now I get it, y’all deserve the money, but three times?”
You can hear her full rant right here
@webgirlmorgan Am i crazy or is this the new normal #tipping #fyp ♬ original sound – Morgan Huelsman
Image credits: Dan Smedley (not the actual photo)
Tipping is falling out of favor with the public
While it takes one trip down to Starbucks to see what’s wrong with tipping culture today, it mostly comes down to mandatory gratuity and digital payment methods which leave a bad aftertaste if you opt for the “no tip” button. Unsurprisingly, many Americans feel the same about it as Huelsman.
In a recent survey conducted by Bankrate, more than 60% of participants admitted that they hold at least one unfavorable opinion of tipping in this day and age. Furthermore, 30% of the respondents expressed their belief that tipping culture has gotten “out of control” in recent years.
Image credits: Ivan Samkov (not the actual photo)
Experts believe that the declining popularity of tipping may be diminishing due to its imposition on customers
In order to learn more about why people think tipping is getting out of favor, Bored Panda got in touch with Dr. Kevin Bennett, Teaching Professor of Psychology at Penn State Beaver and the host of Kevin Bennet is Snarling podcast. According to Bennett, the major issue stems from tipping becoming increasingly obligatory.
“Tipping used to be a source of pride for many of us, but now it is often a decision fueled by shame,” he explains. “The payment screen asks what percentage tip I would like to offer but this is a situation where I would not leave a tip at all. Now I must press a button to opt-out of tipping.”
Drawing on the findings of Bankrate’s survey on the declining trend of tipping in the United States, Bennett agrees that tipping has reached a breaking point where individuals can no longer pretend or force themselves to do it – even if it ultimately impacts the well-being of workers.
“I think it is getting easier and easier for people to skip the tip and not feel guilty about it. The other day, I heard people at a restaurant talking about how they need to reduce the tip they leave because of inflation and finances, etc. They didn’t seem cruel about it because they were getting no pleasure out of reducing the tip,” Bennett said. “It’s just unfortunate that workers in the service industry are the ones who suffer due to the economy.”
People were just as astounded by the TikToker’s experience as she was, also taking the opportunity to share their own outrageous tipping stories
It should not be legal for US employers to pay their employees less than minimum wage.
I have a craft shop, and recently bought a new device for taking card payments. Every so often I have to tell the machine to behave itself as it wants to offer my customers the ability to add a tip to their bill. No, No, and No. The prices on the items I sell are the prices the customer is charged. The service from my staff is included in the price, as is access to their years of crafting knowledge.
My first thought was "bring on all the comments about 'Only in America' from non-USA people. In Australia I don't have to tip the first time, let alone the second or third.
Are there any other countries that have a tipping system like US? I never go anywhere.
Load More Replies...
I recently took a Lyft just just three miles and throughout the entire brief trip my phone was constantly, CONSTANTLY, buzzing me with app messages saying "How's the trip? Show how much you're enjoying it with a tip!," I'm supposed to tip within moments of getting in the car?! Doesn't it make sense to wait until the trip is over? What if the driver is awful? But apparently the quality of the drive and driver doesn't matter, you tip now now NOW NOW NOW!
For the pleasant "HI! How are you today? Can I help you find something?" /s
Load More Replies...
Here's the problem, and why so many places are now pushing you to tip: The Fair Labor Standards Act allows an employer to pay as little as $2.13 per hour as long as they are considered "tipped employees". However, if tips do not increase the wage to at least minimum wage, the employer MUST pay wages equivalent to the difference. Corporations are trying to push more and more people to tip so they can save money. By law, they must pay if you don't tip.
If we want servers to be paid FAIRLY by their employer, we must stop tipping all together.
Load More Replies...
I went to a smoke shop recently and I saw that there was a "tip" section before inputting my debit pin. At first, I was kinda pissed off; I mean, I literally just went in for some gummies. But the second time I went in, I asked for some info on what does what, and they were really knowledgeable and saved me some money (trial and error), so I did tip. But it seems weird to me still. Like, this was not a restaurant but apparently they only pay their employees between $10-$15 an hour (found out on my 3rd trip there). Just pay your employees a decent wage! I was a server for several years and it felt like I was "pimping" myself out just to make decent money. Until they ACTUALLY do, I will continue to tip, but I really feel for those who HAVE to do this kind of work
I bought my daughter a 9.99 stranger things fidget toy at one of those mall island kiosk things that sell toys. The woman wad running it with her 12 year old daughter. When I went to pay the daughter was really aggressively over my shoulder telling me exactly how I should pay with my card on the machine like I don't already know. Then the tip option came up and she goes "go ahead- here's where you can leave us a tip! Just put the amount right there!" And I Said "sorry no I don't tip while buying things at stores" and she got real bratty and said to her mom "no tip!!" And I got death stares but didn't care. Who the hell do you think you are? Im not tipping you for overpriced junk! Would have never bought it at all if it wasn't what my daughter chose to spend her money on. Off market too not licensed merchandise
People need to stop tipping all together. It will end this madness. And don't be telling me if I can't afford to tip I can't afford to eat at a restaurant - because that is just lame bs to force people to continue to pay an employee's salary. By law, if server's tips do not equate state regular min wage, the employer must pay that.
If we don’t tip, they won’t get paid, the employers don’t care about the law. It’s human decency to tip even if you don’t agree
Load More Replies...
On the rare occasion I eat out I never leave an electronic tip when paying by card. I leave a fiver, or whatever, under the plates. At least that way there is a chance the server will get it.
And it won't be counted for the IRS - which only contributes to the problem.
Load More Replies... 
Two "y'alls" in the first two sentences. I didn't read further. Let the downvotes begin.
The comment about the tipping at a medical facility did me in....if that was in the US then I can assure you that the employees make more than minimum wage ! If not then they need to look for another job because the going rate for even the most basic medical assistants is about $17-$20 (dollars) per hour. Minimum wage (at least in Ohio where I live) is less than $10 per hour. I'm not rich by any means but I can survive on just my income alone. The cardiology practice I work for has a patient who is fairly wealthy he comes in twice a year and always orders us food for lunch (the entire office!). That is as close to a tip as I want!
I find it interesting when people say they are tired of paying the salaries of others when anytime you buy something from anywhere, you are paying the salary of the person waiting on/checking you out/etc. When I go to Target and buy something, the price I pay for that item covers the wage of the person who stocked it and checked me out. That said, restaurants should charge enough to pay their employees a living wage and then if the server gave excellent service, then a tip would be an optional optional.
A shout-out to Morgan, who does an awesome job on the Bobby Bones Morning Show (country music, y'all - take a listen!)
Question. Seriously asking. Can the employee on other side of screen see if we tip right then and how much? For EX everywhere i go now they flip/turn their computer cash register screen to customer and i see them stare watching as i make selection. Normally options are boxes of 10% 15% 20% custom amount or no tip.
While I totally agree that employers should be mandated to pay employees better, not everyone who provides a service is an employee (DoorDashers, Instacart shoppers, Uber drivers, etc). They are independent contractors using their own vehicles and resources to provide a personal service. And the compensation they are offered by these companies is ridiculously low ($8 to shop for 50 items - almost an hour's worth of time- then delivery to the door 5 miles away in traffic). NO ONE here who is commenting that tipping is b******t would work for an hour and spend their own fuel for $8. If the person is an actual employee getting paid a decent wage then, no, you shouldn't have to tip. But the independent contractor doing YOU a personal service, saving YOU time and fuel and wear-and-tear on your own vehicle deserves your f*****g appreciation in monetary form!
I would argue that it's still not the customers' problem. That issue still lies with the "independent contractor" and the company employing their services. They should be demanding to be made employees.
Load More Replies... I worry about what all of this anti-tip sentiment is going to mean for servers, bartenders, and delivery folks. You know, the folks who have always worked primarily for tips. I'm as p!ssed at all of the tipping as anyone (tipping for making your own fro yo? C'mon!) but if restaurants don't raise wages, the traditional tipped staff is going to get shafted. Also, in the U.S., waiting tables and tending bar has historically been an excellent way to make quick, decent money if you're good at it. Way, way above minimum wage. Again, if you're good.
Free market will regulate itself. Restaurants can't run without employees so if they start quitting, the salary will go up. The thing is, waiters love tips, they make a ton of money off that, way more than what a normal salary would be
Load More Replies...
It should not be legal for US employers to pay their employees less than minimum wage.
I have a craft shop, and recently bought a new device for taking card payments. Every so often I have to tell the machine to behave itself as it wants to offer my customers the ability to add a tip to their bill. No, No, and No. The prices on the items I sell are the prices the customer is charged. The service from my staff is included in the price, as is access to their years of crafting knowledge.
My first thought was "bring on all the comments about 'Only in America' from non-USA people. In Australia I don't have to tip the first time, let alone the second or third.
Are there any other countries that have a tipping system like US? I never go anywhere.
Load More Replies... I recently took a Lyft just just three miles and throughout the entire brief trip my phone was constantly, CONSTANTLY, buzzing me with app messages saying "How's the trip? Show how much you're enjoying it with a tip!," I'm supposed to tip within moments of getting in the car?! Doesn't it make sense to wait until the trip is over? What if the driver is awful? But apparently the quality of the drive and driver doesn't matter, you tip now now NOW NOW NOW!
For the pleasant "HI! How are you today? Can I help you find something?" /s
Load More Replies... Here's the problem, and why so many places are now pushing you to tip: The Fair Labor Standards Act allows an employer to pay as little as $2.13 per hour as long as they are considered "tipped employees". However, if tips do not increase the wage to at least minimum wage, the employer MUST pay wages equivalent to the difference. Corporations are trying to push more and more people to tip so they can save money. By law, they must pay if you don't tip.
If we want servers to be paid FAIRLY by their employer, we must stop tipping all together.
Load More Replies... I went to a smoke shop recently and I saw that there was a "tip" section before inputting my debit pin. At first, I was kinda pissed off; I mean, I literally just went in for some gummies. But the second time I went in, I asked for some info on what does what, and they were really knowledgeable and saved me some money (trial and error), so I did tip. But it seems weird to me still. Like, this was not a restaurant but apparently they only pay their employees between $10-$15 an hour (found out on my 3rd trip there). Just pay your employees a decent wage! I was a server for several years and it felt like I was "pimping" myself out just to make decent money. Until they ACTUALLY do, I will continue to tip, but I really feel for those who HAVE to do this kind of work
I bought my daughter a 9.99 stranger things fidget toy at one of those mall island kiosk things that sell toys. The woman wad running it with her 12 year old daughter. When I went to pay the daughter was really aggressively over my shoulder telling me exactly how I should pay with my card on the machine like I don't already know. Then the tip option came up and she goes "go ahead- here's where you can leave us a tip! Just put the amount right there!" And I Said "sorry no I don't tip while buying things at stores" and she got real bratty and said to her mom "no tip!!" And I got death stares but didn't care. Who the hell do you think you are? Im not tipping you for overpriced junk! Would have never bought it at all if it wasn't what my daughter chose to spend her money on. Off market too not licensed merchandise
People need to stop tipping all together. It will end this madness. And don't be telling me if I can't afford to tip I can't afford to eat at a restaurant - because that is just lame bs to force people to continue to pay an employee's salary. By law, if server's tips do not equate state regular min wage, the employer must pay that.
If we don’t tip, they won’t get paid, the employers don’t care about the law. It’s human decency to tip even if you don’t agree
Load More Replies... On the rare occasion I eat out I never leave an electronic tip when paying by card. I leave a fiver, or whatever, under the plates. At least that way there is a chance the server will get it.
And it won't be counted for the IRS - which only contributes to the problem.
Load More Replies... Two "y'alls" in the first two sentences. I didn't read further. Let the downvotes begin.
The comment about the tipping at a medical facility did me in....if that was in the US then I can assure you that the employees make more than minimum wage ! If not then they need to look for another job because the going rate for even the most basic medical assistants is about $17-$20 (dollars) per hour. Minimum wage (at least in Ohio where I live) is less than $10 per hour. I'm not rich by any means but I can survive on just my income alone. The cardiology practice I work for has a patient who is fairly wealthy he comes in twice a year and always orders us food for lunch (the entire office!). That is as close to a tip as I want!
I find it interesting when people say they are tired of paying the salaries of others when anytime you buy something from anywhere, you are paying the salary of the person waiting on/checking you out/etc. When I go to Target and buy something, the price I pay for that item covers the wage of the person who stocked it and checked me out. That said, restaurants should charge enough to pay their employees a living wage and then if the server gave excellent service, then a tip would be an optional optional.
A shout-out to Morgan, who does an awesome job on the Bobby Bones Morning Show (country music, y'all - take a listen!)
Question. Seriously asking. Can the employee on other side of screen see if we tip right then and how much? For EX everywhere i go now they flip/turn their computer cash register screen to customer and i see them stare watching as i make selection. Normally options are boxes of 10% 15% 20% custom amount or no tip.
While I totally agree that employers should be mandated to pay employees better, not everyone who provides a service is an employee (DoorDashers, Instacart shoppers, Uber drivers, etc). They are independent contractors using their own vehicles and resources to provide a personal service. And the compensation they are offered by these companies is ridiculously low ($8 to shop for 50 items - almost an hour's worth of time- then delivery to the door 5 miles away in traffic). NO ONE here who is commenting that tipping is b******t would work for an hour and spend their own fuel for $8. If the person is an actual employee getting paid a decent wage then, no, you shouldn't have to tip. But the independent contractor doing YOU a personal service, saving YOU time and fuel and wear-and-tear on your own vehicle deserves your f*****g appreciation in monetary form!
I would argue that it's still not the customers' problem. That issue still lies with the "independent contractor" and the company employing their services. They should be demanding to be made employees.
Load More Replies... I worry about what all of this anti-tip sentiment is going to mean for servers, bartenders, and delivery folks. You know, the folks who have always worked primarily for tips. I'm as p!ssed at all of the tipping as anyone (tipping for making your own fro yo? C'mon!) but if restaurants don't raise wages, the traditional tipped staff is going to get shafted. Also, in the U.S., waiting tables and tending bar has historically been an excellent way to make quick, decent money if you're good at it. Way, way above minimum wage. Again, if you're good.
Free market will regulate itself. Restaurants can't run without employees so if they start quitting, the salary will go up. The thing is, waiters love tips, they make a ton of money off that, way more than what a normal salary would be
Load More Replies...
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